Last night, July 6, 2012 at Fenway Park, a torch was passed! It is a significant event when a tradition is carried on and passed to another generation of Americans. And in this case it is very specific Americans. My Americans.

My eldest offspring, who lives in Florida, took her two boys to Fenway last night for the first game of this Sox/Yankees series. Jake, the oldest, has been there before but as a little, little scruffer, it was Brady’s first visit, his lobstah’s too.

The trip to Fenway culminated a week that saw them drive from Florida and take in a bit of America along the way, as Mom recreated a drive she made a few times as a kid.

“Blue Ridge Mountains, Shenandoah River”

Joining the Union cause at Gettysburg.

The week included:

Trips to the beach.

Just hanging out with the cousins.

And of course poolside at Auntie Nancy’s, the site of decades of so many joyous moments.

Last year my oldest granddaughter made her inaugural visit to Fenway and now three of the five grandkids have made the trip.

The other two will get there soon, as they have not quite yet come of age.

In this digital, electronic age, I was able to share part of the evening right from my chair on Florida’s Gulf Coast, as text messages and photos kept me abreast of the activities from the third base grandstands. The evening brought a wide smile through the glistening of a tear.

It is bittersweet for as I watch this unfold I long for just one more ball game with the leader of the band. Just one more; and in the inescapable reality that the bottom of my hour-glass is filling, all too rapidly I might add, I still see all that could be, if only. And in my approaching winter each “if only” brings a longing for the sweet breath of Spring, more Summer in the sun and glorious, golden Falls.

Yet there is a true joy in seeing and knowing that what you wanted to pass on as important, is passed on as important. Even in the triviality of a game, a team, an event, a place! It’s not about baseball really, it’s about relationships, it’s always about relationships. And Fenway has been the stage where literally hundreds of millions of relationships have been born, lived, been shared and died.

Last night two more were born and somewhere in the whisper of the Fenway breeze or perhaps in the roar of the crowd, the leader is smiling and I am remembering…….

remembering the sweet, sweet breath of Spring…………………..If only.

And so it is on this day in Fenway Park history, July 7, 2012.

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About fenwaypark100

Hello and welcome, my name is Raymond Sinibaldi. An educator for more than two decades, a baseball fan for nearly 60 years, I have authored four books about baseball and her glorious history; with a fifth on the way in late spring of 2015; the first, The Babe in Red Stockings which was co-authored with Kerry Keene and David Hickey. It is a chronicle of Babe's days with the Red Sox. We also penned a screenplay about Babe's Red Sox days so if any of you are Hollywood inclined or would like to represent us in forwarding that effort feel free to contact me through my email. In 2012 we three amigos published Images of Fenway Park in honor of the 100th birthday of Fenway Park. That led to the creation of this blog. The following year, 2013 came my first solo venture, Spring Training in Bradenton and Sarasota. This is a pictorial history of spring training in those two Florida cities. The spring of 2014 brought forth the 1967 Red Sox, The Impossible Dream Season. The title speaks for itself and it also is a pictorial history. Many of the photos in this book were never published before. The spring of 2015 will bring 1975 Red Sox, American League Champions. Another pictorial effort, this will be about the Red Sox championship season of 1975 and the World Series that restored baseball in America. I was fortunate enough to consult with sculptor Franc Talarico on the “Jimmy Fund” statue of Ted Williams which stands outside both Fenway Park and Jet Blue Park Fenway South, in Fort Myers Florida. That story is contained in the near 300 posts which are contained herein. This blog has been dormant for awhile but 2015 will bring it back to life so jump on board, pass the word and feel free to contact me about anything you read or ideas you may have for a topic. Thanks for stopping by, poke around and enjoy. Autographed copies of all my books are available here, simply click on Raymond Sinibaldi and email me.

What an absolutely great blog today!!! You are so blessed to have such a beautiful family! I’m sure the leader of the band was not only watching, but was very proud of each of you. Only a life long Red Sox can truly understand the significance of this pilgrimage, but your daughter performed like an absolute champ!!!